Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

It is the humanity of Jesus, that he is God made man that makes me feel awestruck. That God sent his only son to live and laugh and love and die only to rise again. That Jesus was tired, sometimes impatient, grateful for his friends. That Jesus had parents in Joseph and Mary.  We remember Mary today as Our Lady of Sorrows. It is hard to even imagine what it would be like to see your son beaten, scourged and crucified. But she knew early on that her blessings as the Mother of God would bring pain.

How wonderful that Jesus had his mother to love him, support him and serve as a source of strength. Mary’s capacity to love even in the face of sorrow and pain serves as a beacon to all of us. We know that her love is there for us. We know we can turn to Mary with our sorrows and our joys and our frustrations. She will be there for us.  She understands our sorrow and our grief, even the grief that seems to pierce us as an arrow.

Though we revere Mary as our Lady of Sorrows today, the Sequence that is part of the readings reminds us of the love that comforts grief and helps heal our wounds. My prayer today from the Sequence focuses on that love.

“O sweet Mother! font of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.”